Oman Travel facts & figures | Travel facts & figures |
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The Sultanate of Oman - Travel facts & figures Location: Oman is the second largest country in the Arabian Peninsula with the United Arab Emirates dividing a small section in the northernmost tip. The country's entire East Coast is fringed by the Indian Ocean and its land neighbours include Yemen to the south, and Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates on its western border. Government type: monarchy, Sultanate since 1744. National flag:
Area: 309,500 sq km Highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m Population: 3,204,897; includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2007 est.) Capital: Muscat, geographic coordinates 23 37 N, 58 35 E Population: 620,000 (census 2003). Local Time: GMT + 4 hours Life expectancy: 74 years GDP – per capita: $14,400 (2006 est.) Visas: Visitor visas valid for a one month stay may be obtained on arrival for citizens of over 60 countries including European Union, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan. For latest information please go to www.omantourism.gov.om. Further information can be obtained from the Oman Embassy. Safety: Oman is one of the most stable, safe and peaceful countries in the Arabian Gulf – as rated by the 2007 Global Peace Index. Oman is also the 22nd most peaceful country in the world. Currency: The rial (RO) is the Omani currency and is divided into 1000 baisas. The rate of conversion is £1 = RO 0.64., $1 = RO 0.385. Banks and exchange bureaux are found throughout Muscat. Language: Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken. Customs: No customs duty is levied on personal effects brought into Oman. It is forbidden to import drugs and pornographic material. Videos, books and magazines are occasionally checked. Climate: The best time to visit Oman is between October and April with temperatures averaging between 25°C and 35°C during the day and between 17°C and 19°C at night. Summer is between April and September when the weather is hot and humid. Mild weather is experienced in the mountains and in Salalah - the Dhofar region all year round, which also enjoys a regular monsoon between June and October every year. Oman encompasses a diverse range of topography, including monsoonal coastlines, mountain ranges, arid deserts and fertile plains. Air-conditioning is the norm in vehicles and most buildings including hotels, conference centres, exhibition halls and shopping malls. Clothing: Lightweight summer clothing in cottons or blends is ideal for most of the year. Sweaters, a light jacket or a shawl may be needed for the cooler evenings. The dress code in Oman is comparatively relaxed, but extremely revealing and inappropriate clothing may be considered offensive. Religion: Islam is the official religion; other religions are also respected. Ramadan: Ramadan is the holy month of fasting when Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours. As a sign of respect, visitors are also required to refrain from these activities in public between sunrise and sunset. The Oman Government announced in 2007, that tourists staying at selected hotels can now purchase and consume alcohol after sunset from 7pm 2am in allocated restaurants. The following hotels have been granted permission to serve alcohol during Ramadan; Radisson SAS, Grand Hyatt, Shangri-la Barr AI Jissa, The Chedi, Intercontinental Hotel, Crowne Plaza and AI Bustan Palace. Public Holidays in 2008 1 January New Year’s Day Friday is the general day of worship and a public holiday. This is not the best day for cruise calls in Muscat & Salalah as it is a public holiday and also a day of prayers. Individual & Groups will have to note certain sightseeing that may be closed. Electricity: The electrical system is based on 220/240 AC volts with British type plugs.
Credit cards: All major credit cards are accepted in main hotels, stores and larger shops, but in traditional souks, cash is mostly used and bargaining power is increased with the ready availability of currency. ATM machines are available. Business hours: The weekend starts on Thursday afternoon and Friday although government offices are closed the whole of Thursday and Friday. Most shops and malls open from 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm. During Ramadan shops close later at night. Banks, embassies and consulates are open from 8am to noon, Saturday to Thursday. Health: While tap water is safe for drinking, a variety of locally bottled mineral water is widely available. Most hotels have medical help available and there is a modern medical infrastructure in terms of private and government medical facilities. Hotels: Oman currently offers over 6,000 rooms including many four, five and a six-star properties. This is set to increase to 10,000 by 2010. Facilities for the physically challenged: Most hotels and public places provide facilities and make special arrangements for physically challenged visitors Social Conventions: Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. A small gift, either promoting your company or country, is well received. As far as dress is concerned, it is important that women dress modestly beyond the hotel grounds, ie long skirts or dresses (below the knee) with covered shoulders; men should wear trousers and shirts with sleeves. Tight-fitting clothes should be restricted to hotel restaurants to avoid giving offence although this is not strictly followed by some Westerners. Shorts should not be worn in public and beachwear is prohibited anywhere except the beach. Collecting seashells, abalone, corals, crayfish and turtle eggs is also prohibited. Dumping litter is forbidden. It is polite not to smoke in public, but generally no-smoking signs are posted where appropriate. “No Photography“ signs. Traffic System: Vehicles are driven on the right side of the road. There is a great network of surface trunk roads joining the main towns and main roads in the capital and Salalah. Holders of international driving licenses are allowed to drive in the Sultanate of Oman (min. 25 years only). Driving under alcoholic influence is strictly prohibited. Taxis: Taxis are white and orange and have the taxi sign. (Moderate bargaining is needed). Getting around: Oman has a modern network of roads and motorways. Several car hire companies can provide the car of your choice including four-wheel drives. Taxis are the best way of getting around Muscat. It is recommended to agree on the fare beforehand, as taxis are not metered. Most hotels also arrange transport for guests including limousines and bus services for larger groups. Getting there: Muscat International Airport (former: Seeb International Airport) is located 40km from Muscat city centre and also serves domestic flights. From 26 November 2007 Oman Air operates a non stop direct daily service from London Gatwick to Muscat with just over a seven hour flight time. Further new routes to Paris, Frankfurt and Bangkok will start operation as part of the airline's expansion plans. Oman Air www.omanair.aero also operates direct flights to Abu Dhabi, AI Ain, Doha, Dubai (six flights a day), Jeddah, Kuwait, Cairo, Colombo, Karachi, Mombassa, Dar Es-Salaam, Zanzibar, Beirut and four destinations in India. In addition Oman Air serves as the domestic airline as well as offering several daily flights to Salalah, and Musandam (Khasab Airport). Oman Airports: Live Flight Information Muscat International Airport: Flight Information (24 Hours): +968 245 19223; +968 245 19456 Salalah International Airport: Flight Information: +968 232 94237 (Oman Aviation Services) Internet country code: .om Telephone dialing code: + 968 Telephone cards are readily available from shops and supermarkets. (Rial Omani 1.500, 3.000 & 5.000). International telephone calls are cheaper during late evening till early morning (check for local time of country) and the whole day on Fridays and Public Holidays. All local telephone booths can be used for international dialing. No collect calls are possible in Oman.
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